Blogging about the Convergence of Christianity, Complexity, and Open Source Culture.

9.19.2014

Ebola Doctor is a Target of Both Liberals and Conservatives

Both liberals and conservatives are taking potshots at Kent Brantly, the American doctor who served as a medical missionary, treating victims of Ebola before contracting the disease himself.

For instance, Ann Coulter's blog on August 6, 2014 titled "EBOLA DOC'S CONDITION DOWNGRADED TO 'IDIOTIC'," calls his desire to treat the sick "Christian narcissism". She said his ego cost the charity that sent him more money than the services he rendered. She argued that he could have done more good being a doctor at home.

And today on facebook, I saw a link to an article describing the doctor's recent testimony before the Senate. He said,

"Many have used the analogy of a fire burning out of control to describe this unprecedented Ebola outbreak. Indeed it is a fire-a fire straight from the pit of hell. We cannot fool ourselves into thinking that the vast moat of the Atlantic Ocean will keep the flames away from our shores. Instead, we must mobilize the resources needed to keep entire nations from being reduced to ashes."

It was an excellent article, however, it garnered these responses from the original poster's followers.

In the article he does not mention his faith in God, and the reference to Hell is simply a metaphor. Yet, because people know he is a Christian, because he publicly thanked God for sparing his life - they take offense.

It seems like everyone fails to see the good that came from this man's willingness to risk his life and care for the sick. The article goes on to describe how the world "woke up" to Ebola only after this doctor was infected. Since that time there has been intense media attention and awareness of the situation on the ground in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leon and neighboring countries. And now, the doctor is testifying before the Senate, urging the U.S. to help. Warning us, that we cannot expect the vast ocean to keep this disease from our own shores should we choose to ignore those in need.

God is at work to bring bring hope and healing in the middle of a great threat.

But liberals fail to see how this man's faith in God is the very thing that gave him the courage to travel to the front lines, to meet the needs of the sick, and to fight this deadly disease.

And conservatives fail to see how the willingness of Christians to "waste" money on other people, and to take personal risks for the common good, can benefit not only the needy, but ourselves as well.

It kind of makes me think of that passage where it says

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold - Matthew 24:12.

It's a frightening thought, confirmed by current events: The Ukraine/Russia crisis, ISIS, the Ebola Outbreak, the continuing conflict between Israel and Palestine. But as frightening as that thought is, the same passage gives followers of Jesus this hope, that "he who endures till the end will be saved", and that is a comforting thought.